Artificial teeth



(No Mode.)

G. A. JOHNSTON 8v H. M. CARROLL. ARTIPIGIAL TEBTH.

1110. 546,331. Patented sept. 17, 1895.

UNITED STA-Tas- PATENT FFCE@ GEORGE A. JOHNSTON AND HOUSTON M. CARROLL, OF SAN ANTONIO,

4 TEXAS.

ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettere Patent No. 546,331, dated September 17, 1895. Application filed June 4, i895. Serial No. 551,638. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE A. JOHNSTON and HOUSTON M. CARROLL, citizens of the United States,- residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful'lmprovement in Ar'- tificial Teeth, of which the following is a specitlcation.

This invention relates to artificial dentures, and particularly to lower sets, and aims to provide retainers and combine them with the plate, so as to hold the denture in place against accidental displacement during the process of articulation, prehension, mastication, and deglntition.

Dentures of this character have been provided with clasps to engage with the jaws, the alveolar process, Or gums, and have been found objectionable because of the discomfort attendant upon their wearing and because the clasps do not give satisfactory results.

The present invention provides retainers which fill a vacuum in the mouth never heretofore utilized in the construction of artificial teeth and which form a rest for the muscles in their contraction incident to the movements of the jaws, and these retainers render a lower set of artificial teeth as comfortable and serviceable as if they were natural.

The improvement consists of the novel features which hereinafter will be more fully set forth and claimed, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lower set of artificial teeth, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a rear view thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a retainer. Figs. 5 and 6 show,

convenient manner, and may be attached to either side of the plate, according to the convenience of the wearer. prise a curved shank portion 4, by means of which the retainers are attached to the plate, and an expanded portion 5, the latter curving upwardly and outwardly and convexed on the side designed to come opposite to the cheek. The expanded ,portion 5 is concaved on its inner side to conform to the convexity of the outer side, thereby attaining a light structure, and this expanded portion 5 is partially twisted at 6 and inclines outwardly and sets at an angle to the shank 4, so as to conform to the shape of the mouth and secure ease and comfort to the wearer. When the retainers are properly positioned, the expanded portions 5 project vertically from the rear ends of the plate and serve to secure the latter in position and prevent tipping and loosening thereof during the several move.- ments of the jaws.

The retainer may be wide at the point of juncture of the upwardlypxtending portion 5 with the shank 4, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4, or the said juncture may be contracted to form a comparatively small neck portion, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the latter construction being preferred in some instances. In every case the expanded portion 5 will be concave-convex, so as to attain the best possible results inthe accurate and proper fitting of the denture within the mouth.

The invention is readily adapted for dentures now in use, as well as those to be constructed, and in adapting the same to the particular requirement it is to be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is@ l. In anarticial denture, alower plate havn These retainers com- Y ing retainers extending vertically from its im 9 5 2. The combination with a lower set of articial teeth,iof retainers having eurveclshank` portions which are attached to the inner ends of the plate, and having expanded portions which extend vertically and are coneavo-cou- Vex, said expanded portions standing at opposte angles, Substantially as set forth for@y the purpose described. 

